Caught In The Ebbing Tide: A Reminiscence Of Raxtox Cliffs

Theodore Watts-Dunton 1832 (United Kingdom) – 1914 (London Borough of Wandsworth)



The mightiest Titan's stroke could not withstand
An ebbing tide like this. These swirls denote
How wind and tide conspire. I can but float
To the open sea and strike no more for land.
Farewell, brown cliffs, farewell, beloved sand
Her feet have pressed--farewell, dear little boat
Where Gelert, calmly sitting on my coat,
Unconscious of my peril, gazes bland!

All dangers grip me save the deadliest, fear:
Yet these air-pictures of the past that glide--
These death-mirages o'er the heaving tide--
Showing two lovers in an alcove clear,
Will break my heart. I see them and I hear
As there they sit at morning, side by side.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

33 sec read
102

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBAABBA CDDCXD
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 618
Words 110
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 6

Theodore Watts-Dunton

Theodore Watts-Dunton was an English critic and poet. He is often remembered as the friend and minder of Algernon Charles Swinburne, whom he rescued from alcoholism. more…

All Theodore Watts-Dunton poems | Theodore Watts-Dunton Books

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